Blueprints

Once you have solid design ideas, it is time to put them down on to
paper. This means that it's time to draw up blueprints.

Blueprints are basically the road map for building your addition, and
include every detail from the thickness of the wall insulation to every
last architectural detail.

Mistakes will be caught and fixed and details will be hammered out during
the blueprint phase. Most architects make lots of revisions and
several sets of blueprints before everyone agrees they are finished.

People with less complicated, smaller additions — and budgets
— may choose to
draw up their own blueprints. While drawing up blueprints is a
complicated task, today's computer aided design (CAD) programs make it
possible for some types of additions. While you'll save money using
one of these programs, most of them have design limitations that result
in a less creative addition. Remember, plans that were drawn by
yourself or by someone other than an architect will need to be certified
by a structural engineer before you get a building permit.

An important part of your final plan is adjusting your addition to its
site. While this is particularly important for large additions like
wing additions, things like sun exposure and views should be considered
for even the smallest addition. In addition to your blueprints, be
sure to draw up a site plan that shows all your landscape details
including the location of trees, gardens, hills, and anything else that
will impact your addition. The site plan should also include the
locations of power lines, streets, and sewers.

Once you have your site plan on paper, design your addition so it makes
the most of the outside environment. For example, you may want to
add a walk-out addition on a sloped lot, or you may want to include a
large window in your addition to frame the view of nearby mountains.